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Alex Party
Alex Party
Alex Party
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Alex Party is an Italian electronic dance group. The band consisted of the Italian brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi (also of Livin' Joy), DJ Alex Natale, and vocalist, singer and songwriter Shanie Campbell.

Key Information

Their most famous single to date is "Don't Give Me Your Life", a #2 hit in both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom in early 1995.[1] The group's first single, "Saturday Night Party (Read My Lips)", was an immediate success, and became an Ibiza anthem during the summer of 1993. It became their first Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #29.[1]

History

[edit]

"Don't Give Me Your Life"

[edit]
Main article: Don't Give Me Your Life

They released the single "Don't Give Me Your Life" in 1994, being an extended remix to the original "Alex Party" track. It reached #2 in both Ireland and the United Kingdom (their highest charting hit in those countries), #5 on the US Dance charts,[2] and #13 in Australia, plus it topped and made the No 1 position and was Club Record of the year at Music Week's 1995 Awards.

Other releases

[edit]

A follow-up single to the multi-named "Alex Party / Saturday Night Party / Read My Lips" single was released entitled "Alex Party 2" but was only available on 12" Vinyl. It was relatively unknown as it received little to no promotion. The track, along with the same remixes as on the vinyl release was included on a special Singapore CD Single of "Don't Give Me Your Life".

The group continued to have moderate success following the success of "Don't Give Me Your Life", including "Wrap Me Up", which was released in late 1995, peaking at #17 in the UK[1] and #11 in Australia (where it was the group's last charting single).

A revamped version of the first single was released in 1996 that included added vocals by Shanie and was entitled "Read My Lips". It reached #28 in the UK chart.[1] Same year an official 'Megamix' single was released including "Don't Give Me Your Life", "Read My Lips", "Simple Things", and "Wrap Me Up".

In 1997, "Simple Things" was the next single to be released and it achieved moderate sales.

In 1999 "Don't Give Me Your Life" was re-released which included new mixes and a full-length bonus track Megamix from 1996.

Although the last single which was released in the year 2000 was "U Gotta Be" a rare, unreleased, and virtually unknown track entitled "You Can't Escape My Love" appeared on a Portuguese compilation album, named Top Star 2001, on the Vidisco record label.

Remixes

[edit]

Alongside releasing singles, Alex Natale was assisted by the Visnadi brothers to remix tracks for many artists. Notable artists remixed include 2 Unlimited, The Shamen, Jinny, Clubzone, Alison Limerick, Everything but the Girl, and Gipsy.

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of albums, with Australian chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[3]
Alex Party
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Dance Net
 59

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ITA
[4] 		AUS
[5][3] 		AUT
[6] 		FIN
[7] 		GER
[8] 		IRE
[9] 		NED
[10] 		SCO
[11] 		SWE
[12] 		SWI
[13] 		UK
[14]
1993 "Alex Party (Saturday Night Party)" — — — — — — — — — — 49 Non-album single
1994 "Alex Party (Saturday Night Party)" (re-issue) — — — — — — — 39 — — 29
1995 "Don't Give Me Your Life" 22 13 — — 24 2 16 2 — 30 2 Alex Party
"Wrap Me Up" 2 11 38 15 63 30 — 20 31 — 17
1996 "Read My Lips" — 51 — — — — — 32 — — 28
1997 "Simple Things" 13 — — — — — — — — — —
2000 "U Gotta Be" 33 — — — — — 82 — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alex Party

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alex Party was an Italian house music group primarily active during the , consisting of brothers Paolo Visnadi and Gianni Visnadi, DJ Alex Natale, and vocalist Shanie Campbell. The group has seen revivals with live performances continuing into the . The group gained international recognition with their breakthrough single "," released in 1994, which became a major hit in the and house scenes, peaking at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and spending 11 weeks in the top 40. In the United States, the track reached number 5 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, marking their presence in the global market. Formed in , Alex Party contributed to the burgeoning Euro house and genres through their energetic productions and catchy vocal hooks, with additional releases including the 1993 single "Alex Party" and the 1996 album of the same name, which featured tracks like "Read My Lips" and "Wrap Me Up." Their music, produced under the Goody Music label, exemplified the upbeat, club-oriented sound popular in mid-1990s European dance culture.

Background

Formation

Alex Party was founded in 1993 in , , by Italian brothers Paolo Visnadi and Gianni Visnadi, who were experienced producers who co-founded the group in the same year, alongside DJ Alex Natale. The project emerged as a collaborative effort among these key figures, who brought their backgrounds in the burgeoning Italian dance music scene to create a new outlet for their creative endeavors. The initial motivation behind Alex Party was to establish project that could tap into the growing popularity of Euro house and genres across during the early , capitalizing on the demand for upbeat, club-oriented electronic music. Early recording sessions took place at local studios in , where the team concentrated on developing high-energy dance tracks designed specifically for club environments and DJ sets. In its formative phase, the project secured its first distribution deal with the German label ZYX Music, which facilitated European release and promotion of their material starting in 1993. This signing marked the official launch of Alex Party as a professional music endeavor.

Members

Alex Party was primarily a collaborative project led by a core team of Italian producers and a British vocalist, with the lineup stable through the mid-1990s and into the early 2000s. The group featured brothers Paolo and Gianni Visnadi as key producers, DJ Alex Natale handling mixing and sound design, and Shanie Campbell providing lead vocals on major tracks. This quartet formed the backbone of the project's output, though occasional remixers and additional contributors appeared on specific releases. Paolo Visnadi, born in 1970 in , , served as a primary and songwriter for Alex Party, focusing on composing melodies and arrangements that defined the group's Euro house sound. He co-founded the influential dance act alongside his brother Gianni in 1993, bringing prior experience in production from labels like Interdance Records, where he began working in 1988 after studying classical . In Alex Party, Paolo contributed to hits like "" (1995), co-producing and arranging the track that reached No. 2 in the UK charts. Gianni Visnadi, the older brother of and also Italian-born, acted as a and instrumentalist, specializing in beats and programming for the project. Like , he co-founded and shared production credits on early Alex Party singles such as "Alex Party" (1993), emphasizing rhythmic elements suited for club play. His work extended to other dance projects, including collaborations with Ottomix on tracks, which informed his contributions to Alex Party's energetic sound. Alex Natale, born Alessandro Natale on August 14, 1967, in , was the DJ and co-producer who inspired the project's name and shaped its club-oriented aesthetic through mixing and . As a prominent figure in the Italian dance scene, he co-produced core tracks like "Wrap Me Up" (1995) and led revivals of the project in later years, including live performances and new releases under the Alex Party banner into the . Natale's DJ background ensured the music's dancefloor appeal, with credits on arrangements for the group's international hits. Shanie Campbell, also known as Robin Campbell, joined as the lead vocalist and songwriter in 1994, delivering soulful, diva-style performances that elevated tracks like "," for which she wrote the lyrics during a personal low point. A British singer who trained at the London School of —graduating with honors in singing and dancing—she provided vocals for major releases through 2000, including "Read My Lips" (1996) and "Wrap Me Up," contributing to the project's global chart success. Campbell's role was central to the core lineup, blending R&B influences with electronic production.

Career

Early years (1993–1994)

Alex Party entered the music scene with their debut single, "Saturday Night Party (Read My Lips)", released in 1993 on the German label ZYX Music. The track, produced by core members Paolo Visnadi, Gianni Visnadi, and DJ Alex Natale, featured a high-energy sound that gained traction in European clubs. It achieved modest commercial success, peaking at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart upon its 1994 re-release, and became a notable anthem in Ibiza's club scene during the summer of 1993. The group's follow-up single, "Don't Give Me Your Life", arrived in 1994 as an extended remix building on their initial style, emphasizing vocal hooks and pulsating beats. This release marked a significant step forward, reaching number 2 on both the UK Singles Chart and the in early 1995, while also peaking at number 5 on the chart and number 13 on the Australian Singles Chart. For its club impact, the track earned the Music Week Club Record of the Year award in 1995. During this period, Alex Party's promotion centered on grassroots efforts across Europe, primarily through club DJs spinning their tracks and emerging radio airplay on dance-oriented stations, which helped build underground momentum without substantial mainstream exposure. The group maintained a singles-focused approach, with no full-length album released until later, allowing remixes by Italian house producers—such as those by the Black & White Brothers—to extend the tracks' appeal in club environments and prolong their lifecycle on dance floors.

Commercial breakthrough (1995–1996)

Following the momentum from their earlier hit "Don't Give Me Your Life," Alex Party achieved further commercial success with the release of "Wrap Me Up" in September 1995. The single, featuring prominent vocals by Shanie Campbell—who co-wrote the lyrics—emphasized upbeat house rhythms and became a staple in European club scenes. It included multiple remixes tailored for radio play and club environments, such as the Radio Edit and Extended Mix, broadening its appeal across formats. The track peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, marking their second top-20 entry there, and reached number 11 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia, where it spent 22 weeks in the top 100. In 1996, Alex Party built on this progress with "Read My Lips," a reworking of their 1993 track "Saturday Night Party (Read My Lips)" now featuring Campbell's lead vocals and infectious hooks. Released as a single in the and , it peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the UK Dance Chart, reinforcing their presence in the market. This release served as the title track for their debut and only studio album, Alex Party, issued that year by ZYX Music, a prominent German dance label. The album compiled refreshed versions of prior singles alongside new material, including the euphoric "Spirit of Love" and "," showcasing their signature blend of diva vocals over pulsating beats. The period also saw expanded international reach through partnerships with labels like Systematic, which handled UK distribution for their singles and facilitated broader European promotion. This led to heightened media visibility, including performances on BBC's during their chart runs and extensive touring across by vocalist Campbell in the mid-1990s. These efforts solidified Alex Party's breakthrough, transitioning them from underground club favorites to mainstream dance act contenders.

Later releases and revival (1997–present)

Following the success of their mid-1990s hits, Alex Party released the single "Simple Things" in 1997 through UMM and Goodymusic Production, marking a stylistic shift toward more vocal-driven Euro house tracks with contributions from vocalist Shanie Campbell. The track, produced by Paolo Visnadi, received moderate airplay in Europe but did not achieve significant chart positions outside Italy, where it peaked at number 13 on the FIMI charts. In 2000, the group issued "U Gotta Be" as an EP on independent label Radikal Records, featuring remixes including an collaboration, amid evolving dance music landscapes dominated by emerging subgenres like and . This release had limited visibility, charting at number 33 in and the but failing to gain broader international traction. After this, Alex Party entered a hiatus from 2000 to 2019, during which core members Paolo and Gianni Visnadi focused on other production ventures, including their work with . The group revived in 2020 with the digital Alex Party on Goody Music Production and , featuring remastered versions of originals such as "Read My Lips" and new mixes of "" to appeal to nostalgic audiences. In 2021, they followed with the Read My Lips remix EP, including contemporary takes by DJs like Paul Orwin, Mr. Jay & Paul Bleasdale, and Joey SLVR, distributed on platforms including and . Live performances resumed thereafter, with the group announcing tour dates for 2025, including a November 28 appearance at alongside and . Ongoing digital re-releases of their catalog, including remastered tracks and EPs, have been made available on streaming services like and , sustaining interest among 1990s dance nostalgia enthusiasts.

Musical style

Genre characteristics

Alex Party's music primarily falls within the and Euro house genres, blending Italian electronic dance influences with upbeat, vocal-heavy tracks designed for club environments. These styles emerged in the early Italian scene, characterized by a fusion of house grooves and pop accessibility that prioritized energetic, dancefloor-oriented sounds. Key elements of their sound include four-on-the-floor beats typically ranging from 120 to 130 BPM, synth-driven melodies featuring anthemic piano chords, and prominent diva-style female vocals that deliver soulful, emotive performances. Shanie Campbell's powerful and melodic vocal delivery added a layer of , often building to anthemic choruses that emphasized club-ready hooks and optimistic, party-themed focused on , nightlife, and . This combination created a sense of uplift and communal energy, drawing from the broader Italian dance wave exemplified by acts like and 49ers, while incorporating house's rhythmic drive and garage influences for a polished, crossover appeal. Over time, Alex Party's style evolved from more and DJ-focused tracks in their early releases, such as the synth-heavy "Read My Lips," to later works that integrated pop elements for greater radio play and commercial success, as seen in vocal-driven hits like "." This shift highlighted their adaptability within Euro house, maintaining core electronic foundations while enhancing lyrical and melodic accessibility to broaden their audience.

Production techniques

Alex Party's production in the relied heavily on layered sampling to create rich, energetic euro house tracks, drawing from classic house and disco elements for texture and familiarity. Producers and Visnadi frequently incorporated vocal chops and acapella snippets, such as the phrases from Peech Boys' "Don't Make Me Wait (Acapella)" in both "'Cause I Can Do It (Right)" and "Nu-Nu-Now," to add rhythmic drive and emotional depth through multi-layered arrangements. riffs were also sampled and looped, exemplified by the iconic line from First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder (A Mix)" integrated into "'Cause I Can Do It (Right)," providing a melodic foundation that blended seamlessly with original synth elements. Drum breaks from house classics were occasionally layered for percussive complexity, enhancing the dancefloor impact without overpowering the core groove. A key aspect of their approach was the strategic creation of multiple versions for different audiences, with extended club mixes typically running 7–8 minutes to suit DJ sets and build tension through breakdowns and builds, while radio edits were condensed to 3–4 minutes for commercial play. This dual-format pattern allowed for broader reach, often involving collaborations with external remixers like Dancing Divaz to introduce variations such as deeper basslines or alternative breakdowns while maintaining the group's signature upbeat energy. In the revival era of the , production shifted toward digital remastering of original material using contemporary tools to enhance clarity and dynamics for streaming platforms, as seen in Goody Music Production's 2020 reissues of albums like Alex Party and . These updates preserved the layered sampling and vocal multi-tracking of the originals but applied modern compression and EQ techniques to adapt the sound for current playback systems, ensuring the timeless euro house vibe endured without major alterations. The Visnadi brothers' foundational roles in production and carried over, with DJ Alex Natale contributing to mixing oversight.

Discography

Albums

Alex Party's sole studio album, the self-titled Alex Party, was released in 1996 by ZYX Music in Europe and DanceNet in Australia. The album consists of 11 tracks, blending euro house and diva house elements, with key inclusions such as "Read My Lips" (Radio Edit), "Wrap Me Up," and the album version of "Don't Give Me Your Life." Other notable tracks include "Simple Things," "Spirit of Love," "I Am the One," "'Cause I Can Do It (Right)," "On My Mind," "What Fool Am I?," "Once Upon a Time," and "Alex Party (September Party)." Despite featuring hit singles, the album achieved modest commercial success, peaking at number 59 on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart, and received user ratings averaging 4.2 out of 5 on Discogs for its cohesive club-oriented sound. In 2020, a self-titled was released digitally via Goody Music Production on , compiling originals and remixes from the group's catalog. Spanning 12 tracks, it includes "Read My Lips (Original Mix)," " (album version)," "Spirit of Love (album version)," " (Classic Mix)," "Wrap Me Up (Original Mix)," "I Am the One (Original Mix)," "'Cause I Can Do It Right (Original Mix)," "On My Mind (Original Mix)," "What Fool Am I? (Original Mix)," "Once Upon a Time (Original Mix)," "Alex Party (September Party) (Original Mix)," and " (DJ Grumble Remix)." Aimed at streaming platforms, the compilation lacks formal chart performance data but has been noted for evoking among fans of 1990s . Alex Party produced no additional full-length studio albums, maintaining a primary focus on singles and remixes throughout their career. The 1996 album's reception highlighted its strong dancefloor appeal through energetic production, though some user reviews critiqued it for limited innovation beyond established euro house formulas. The 2020 release, by contrast, garnered appreciation from longtime listeners for preserving and remixing classic material in a digital format.

Singles

Alex Party released eight main singles between 1993 and 2021, primarily in vinyl, , and later digital formats, featuring multiple to suit club and radio play. Their releases emphasized Euro house and dance styles, with several achieving notable chart success in the UK, , and beyond. Early singles were issued by labels like Media Records and Systematic, while later ones shifted to streaming platforms. The debut single, "Saturday Night Party (Read My Lips)", was released in 1993 on vinyl and formats, including mixes such as the Original Mix and Dancing Divas . It peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 11 weeks in the Top 75. "Don't Give Me Your Life", issued in 1994 across vinyl, CD, and cassette singles with remixes like the Classic Alex Party Mix and Dancing Divaz Club Mix, became their biggest hit. It reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks, number 2 in Ireland, number 5 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and number 13 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. The single was certified Gold by the BPI in the UK for 400,000 units sold. "Wrap Me Up", released in 1995 on and vinyl with versions including the and Almighty Mix, charted at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the Australian Singles Chart. It appeared on various compilations, such as Now Dance 95. B-sides included instrumental tracks and alternative mixes. "Alex Party", released in 1995 as a featuring the title track alongside other group hits, did not enter major international charts. "Read My Lips", a 1996 reworking of the debut track on and vinyl formats featuring the Radio Version and Remix, promoted the group's self-titled album and peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart, with 2 weeks on the chart. Promo versions circulated in clubs prior to release. "Simple Things" emerged in 1997 as an EP on vinyl and maxi-single, offering mixes like the Extended Classic and Light Piano Mix, but did not enter major international charts. It included B-sides such as dub versions. "U Gotta Be", a limited digital and vinyl release in 2000 with the Eiffel 65 Extended Mix and Original Extended, received minimal promotion and no significant chart placements. Remixes were later added to digital platforms. In 2021, an EP of "Read My Lips" remixes was issued digitally for streaming, featuring versions by Joey SLVR and Paul Orwin, focusing on modern house updates without physical formats or chart entries.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/7282-Alex-Party
  2. https://www.facebook.com/alexpartyofficial/
  3. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/alex-party-dont-give-me-your-life/
  4. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28431/alex-party/
  5. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Don%27t+Give+Me+Your+Life+by+Alex+Party&id=1659
  6. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/alex-party
  7. https://goodymusicproduction.bandcamp.com/album/alex-party
  8. https://www.last.fm/music/Alex+Party/+wiki
  9. https://www.discogs.com/artist/11785-Alex-Party
  10. https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/alex-party/267660843
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/821463-Alex-Party-Alexs-Party
  12. https://ra.co/dj/visnadi-it/biography
  13. https://www.discogs.com/artist/22251-Alex-Natale
  14. https://www.eurokdj.com/search/eurodb.php?name=Alex_Party
  15. https://www.dancecrazy.co.uk/artist/alex-party
  16. https://www.eurokdj.com/search/eurodb.php?name=Shanie
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/363456-Alex-Party-Saturday-Night-Party
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19940605/7501/
  19. https://www.unitoneentertainment.co.uk/product/alex-party/
  20. https://www.discogs.com/master/98153-Alex-Party-Dont-Give-Me-Your-Life
  21. https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1995-09-09/
  22. https://bigfootevents.co.uk/hire/alex-party/
  23. https://www.discogs.com/release/386606-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/217211-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  25. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Alex+Party&titel=Wrap+Me+Up&cat=s
  26. https://www.htfr.com/alex-party-wrap-me-up-systematic
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001r3g8
  28. https://exactia.co.uk/artist/alex-party/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/222479-Alex-Party-Simple-Things
  30. https://goodymusicproduction.bandcamp.com/album/simple-things
  31. https://rareandobscuremusic.wordpress.com/2018/09/08/alex-party/
  32. https://www.discogs.com/master/98196-Alex-Party-U-Gotta-Be
  33. https://open.spotify.com/album/21oGScPgLe95BXwyehjYcM
  34. https://open.spotify.com/track/4Jrj5gxbwSnfHB3yO4QQF2
  35. https://www.songkick.com/concerts/42667582-vengaboys-at-manchester-cathedral
  36. https://open.spotify.com/artist/41VxAgbLRHo2ZYZEq5P1mD
  37. https://www.beatport.com/artist/alex-party/55807
  38. https://defected.com/news/post/rich-in-paradise-19-italo-house-gems
  39. https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~dtompkin/music/artist/A/A119.html
  40. https://recentmusic.com/genre/diva-house/artists/
  41. https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/italo-house/
  42. https://www.last.fm/music/Alex%2BParty/%2Bwiki
  43. https://www.whosampled.com/Alex-Party/Nu-Nu-Now/
  44. https://www.whosampled.com/Alex-Party/%27Cause-I-Can-Do-It-(Right)/
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/82110-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  46. https://www.discogs.com/master/98147-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  47. https://www.discogs.com/release/1972329-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/316059-Alex-Party-Alex-Party
  49. https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-club-play-songs/1995-10-07/
  50. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/alex-party-single/344753251
  51. https://www.discogs.com/master/98158-Alex-Party-Read-My-Lips
  52. https://www.discogs.com/master/98194-Alex-Party-Simple-Things
  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbJHtB7nYDI
  54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNVuH8z8EFA
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